Re: Rams let go DC Walton

The eyes of the football world may be trained on the Broncos and Seahawks this week, but there’s business going on elsewhere.

St. Louis is just such a place. Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that the Rams have decided not to bring defensive coordinator Tim Walton back for a second season with the team and the team confirmed it a short time later. The Rams wound up 13th in points allowed and 15th in yards allowed during the regular season and finished third in the league in sacks, but finished tied for last in the league in opponent completion percentage and last in yards per pass attempt.

Rumblings of a possible Walton departure began before the season was over. Reports in December indicated that head coach Jeff Fisher had taken on a bigger role in running the defense, although Fisher denied that was the case. True or not, someone else’s hand will be on the wheel come next season.

Gregg Williams ran the defense for Fisher for four years in Tennessee and was slated to be the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2012 before he was suspended by the league after their investigation into the Saints’ defensive bounties. He’s looking for work after spending a year as a senior defensive assistant with the Titans and being ushered out when Mike Munchak was fired, which could lead to his name coming up in conjunction with the opening.

Re: Rams let go DC Walton

Re: Rams let go DC Walton

All kidding aside, if this is to be taken as an indication that Fisher and Walton did not see eye-to-eye on the whole "soft coverage" issue, then its a good thing.

We all noticed this year that the DBs were playing far off the LOS, allowing opposing QBs to make quick, high percentage throws. We had a pretty good discussion after the first Seattle game, when the Rams employed a press coverage scheme that was very effective (apart from the one break down on the long throw to Tate), and we wondered why the Rams did not use this approach more often.

I think that next year, with a new DC and (hopefully) upgraded talent in the DB, we'll see more press coverage which will eliminate the high percentage throws and make our pass rush even more effective.

Re: Rams let go DC Walton

Asked about his early-season struggles, Finnegan told Titans Online in late October, "That's obvious. You know what, from a personal standpoint, I think I was not buying in totally, wasn't making plays. I'm not sure they were big plays; there were one or two passes, giving up two passes a game, and one of them was a touchdown. That seems to be a bad stat especially when you're losing. It's just getting back to basics, and I enjoy that. You got to thrive through the good and bad times. I'm not really worried about that."

When I read this I thought wow, I wonder what he meant by not buying in... this is Fisher D what has changed where you would not buy into it. Now it's clear Fisher was not happy with the D and the scheme and I bet some of the players where lost as well.

Re: Rams let go DC Walton

That's really surprising. Not many were happy with Walton, but Fisher has shown a history of being loyal to his Coordinators through thick and thin.

Of course, I suppose that a hiring of Williams would still show loyalty to his Coordinators. Hmm.

"Before the gates of excellence the high gods have placed sweat; long is the road thereto and rough and steep at first; but when the heights are reached, then there is ease, though grievously hard in the winning." --- Hesiod

Re: Rams let go DC Walton

This is a good move going from Walton to Williams. I think it will place more emphasis on the linebacking corps, specifically the re-signing of Jo Lonn Dunbar, which I expect not to happen despite Gregg bringing him over from NO initially. I know we need help in the secondary, but I like Williams approach to attacking the QB. Which could signal an OLB selected sooner rather than later in the draft. I think we'll see more physicality in our defensive draft picks. Good move, just please no bounties.